CALLS for the urgent preservation of Macclesfield’s iconic Christ Church have reached Parliament.

The towering church, which has been vacant for a number of years but still holds the occasional service or concert, is seen as one of the town’s crown jewels but needs restoration work that could cost more than £1m.

The Churches Conservation Trust, which currently looks after the building, is desperately short of funds, and this has led Sir Nicholas Winterton to call for action in the House of Commons.

He told the Express: "It is an extremely valuable heritage asset for Macclesfield and the acoustics are absolutely fantastic.

"At some stage somebody must grasp the nettle if we are going to save it. Some of the wonderful pews were named after well known Macclesfield textile families so there is great history there."

He has requested a meeting with the minister for culture, media and sport on the church’s future.

Councillor David Neilson, whose ward includes the church, said: "I would really like to see it promoted as a venue.

"Cheshire East Council should be doing all in their power to ensure that funding is found. It is one of our ‘crown jewels’ if you like."

Eric Rogers designed the Wellington Walk featured in last week’s Express with the aim of linking historic buildings like Christ Church.

He said: "The church needs heating and proper toilets and it is important funding is found. It is a very important part of the jigsaw of the Roe Street and Christ Church conservation area."

A spokeswoman for the Churches Conservation Trust said: "We are thrilled that Sir Nicholas has taken up the cause of Christ Church.

"The Churches Conservation Trust has been working with the local authority, community and other partners for some time to try and identify a potential role for Christ Church as part of Macclesfield’s town centre regeneration."

She said similar church projects had cost between £1m and £4m and that the trust had an annual spending shortfall of £1.6m.

Christ Church was built in 1775. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, is thought to have spoken there more than 12 times.

A Cheshire East Council spokesman said: "We are aware of the building and its place in the community and Macclesfield Borough Council was looking at its funding.

"We are supportive but there are no active funding plans at the moment."